Things to Do in Southeast Asia in December

December Weather in Southeast Asia

28°C (82°F) High Temp

20°C (68°F) Low Temp

85mm (3.3 inches) Rainfall

65% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Peak cool season - temperatures drop to 20°C (68°F) at night, making outdoor activities comfortable all day long
Lowest rainfall of the year at 85mm (3.3 inches) with only 8 rainy days, perfect for island hopping and trekking
Crystal clear visibility for diving and snorkeling - water visibility reaches 30m (98 feet) at top sites like Similan Islands
Festival season peaks with Christmas markets in expat areas and New Year celebrations, plus local harvest festivals in northern Thailand

Considerations

Peak tourist season means accommodation prices increase 40-60% and popular attractions get crowded between 10am-3pm
Strong northeast monsoon creates rough seas on east coasts - ferry cancellations affect Koh Samui and Koh Phangan access
Booking window closes early - quality accommodations and tours sell out 6-8 weeks ahead, limiting spontaneous travel

Best Activities in December

Similan Islands Diving and Snorkeling

December offers the absolute best conditions for Similan Islands with 30m (98 feet) underwater visibility and calm Andaman Sea. Water temperature stays at 28°C (82°F) while air temperatures are cool enough for comfortable boat rides. This is peak season for manta ray sightings at Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock.

Booking Tip: Book 14-21 days ahead as day trips fill quickly. Tours typically cost ฿3,200-4,500 for day trips, ฿8,000-12,000 for liveaboard options. Look for licensed operators with safety certifications. Check current availability in the booking section below.

Northern Thailand Hill Tribe Trekking

Cool morning temperatures of 15-18°C (59-64°F) in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai make multi-day treks comfortable. December is harvest season, so you'll see rice terraces being gathered and participate in local festivals. Minimal rainfall means clear mountain views and dry trails.

Booking Tip: 2-3 day treks cost ฿2,500-4,000 per person. Book with community-based tourism operators who share profits with hill tribes. Reserve 7-14 days ahead. See current trekking options in the booking section below.

Bangkok Temple Cycling Routes

December's cooler temperatures make cycling Bangkok's temple circuits actually enjoyable. Start at 7am when it's 22°C (72°F) and finish by 11am before peak heat. Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and Grand Palace area have new dedicated bike lanes completed in 2024.

Booking Tip: Half-day temple cycling tours cost ฿800-1,400. Bike rentals are ฿150-300 per day. Book tours that include early morning start times and temple entry fees. Check current temple cycling options in booking section below.

Mekong Delta Floating Market Tours

December's dry season means stable water levels and comfortable early morning boat rides. Markets like Cai Rang and Tra On are most active 6-9am when temperatures are cool at 18-20°C (64-68°F). December is peak fruit season with dragon fruit, rambutan, and mangosteen harvest.

Booking Tip: Full-day tours from Ho Chi Minh City cost ฿1,800-2,800. Book tours with 5:30am hotel pickup to catch peak market activity. Licensed boats only - check for life jackets and insurance. See current delta tours in booking section below.

Angkor Wat Sunrise Photography

December offers the clearest sunrise conditions at Angkor Wat with minimal cloud cover and comfortable 20°C (68°F) morning temperatures. Dry season means dusty golden light perfect for photography. Tourist numbers peak but early 5:30am starts beat crowds.

Booking Tip: 3-day Angkor passes cost $62, photography tours ฿3,500-5,500. Book accommodations in Siem Reap 6+ weeks ahead. Tuk-tuk drivers charge ฿800-1,200 for sunrise pickup. Check current Angkor tour options in booking section below.

Vietnamese Mountain Train Journeys

December's clear skies provide stunning views on the Hanoi-Sapa train route. Cool mountain temperatures of 8-15°C (46-59°F) make hiking comfortable, and you'll see terraced rice fields post-harvest. New luxury train cars added in 2024 improve the overnight experience.

Booking Tip: Train tickets cost $35-85 depending on class, book 14-28 days ahead. Combine with 2-day Sapa trekking packages costing ฿2,200-3,800. Check current mountain train packages in booking section below.

December Events & Festivals

Throughout December

Chiang Mai Flower Festival Preparation

Local communities prepare elaborate flower arrangements for February's festival, and December visitors can watch artisans create intricate designs in temple courtyards. Night markets sell pre-festival decorations at wholesale prices.

December 5

King's Birthday Celebrations Thailand

December 5th marks the late King Bhumibol's birthday with temple ceremonies, royal portrait displays, and evening light ceremonies at major temples. Locals wear yellow and pink clothing to honor the monarchy.

December 15-31

Christmas Markets in Ho Chi Minh City

District 1's Nguyen Hue Walking Street transforms into Christmas market with local crafts, Vietnamese coffee gift sets, and fusion Christmas-Vietnamese foods. Popular with both expats and locals.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Light rain jacket - December showers are brief but intense, lasting 15-30 minutes when they occur

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index reaches 9 even with cooler temperatures, especially dangerous near water

Lightweight long pants for temple visits - required at Angkor Wat, Grand Palace, and most Buddhist temples

Insect repellent with 20%+ DEET - mosquito activity peaks during brief evening showers

Comfortable walking shoes with grip - temple steps and wet market floors get slippery

Light sweater for mountain areas - temperatures drop to 8°C (46°F) in Sapa and northern Thailand

Quick-dry shorts and breathable cotton shirts - 65% humidity still requires moisture-wicking fabrics

Waterproof phone case - essential for boat tours and unexpected showers

Cash in small bills - many local operators and markets don't accept cards, especially ฿100 and ฿500 notes

Portable power bank - long sightseeing days drain batteries faster in heat

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations before October 15th - quality places with pools sell out completely by November for December dates, and prices increase 60% after Thanksgiving

Start outdoor activities by 8am - even December's 'cool' temperatures reach 28°C (82°F) by noon, and attractions get crowded after 10am tour groups arrive

Carry exact change for temples - ฿50 entry fees often can't break ฿1000 notes, and vendors prefer smaller denominations during peak tourist season

Download offline maps before arriving - data roaming gets expensive and WiFi in remote trekking areas around Chiang Mai and Sapa is unreliable during peak season

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating booking lead times - assuming Southeast Asia is always spontaneous, but December requires planning 6-8 weeks ahead for decent accommodation and tours

Packing only for hot weather - northern Vietnam and Thailand can drop to 8-15°C (46-59°F), especially on overnight trains and mountain treks

Planning east coast island hopping - rough seas from northeast monsoon cause frequent ferry cancellations to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Vietnamese islands